It is a hot summer day in New York City when the story’s narrator, Tammi, is headed to her first day as an intern at the Apollo. As someone who aspires to work in the entertainment industry, Tammi knows that having a summer gig at the most famous Black theater in the city will benefit her future career. When she shows up at the theater, Tammi is shocked to run into Kareem, her neighbor and ex-boyfriend. Tammi discovers from her supervisor that there was a clerical mistake on their end and there is only one internship position available at the theater. The kids are in the middle of trying to get more information about who will take the intern position when the power goes out abruptly. Outside, crowds are pouring into the street, indicating that something is wrong. After discovering that there has been a city-wide black out, Tammi and Kareem are asked to leave the theater so the staff can figure out next steps.

With his own phone dead, Kareem uses Tammi’s phone to call his friend Twig, whose party he is supposed to DJ later that night. With no phone for navigation or communication and little cash between them to pay for a cab, Kareem and Tammi begin a trek through Manhattan to Brooklyn.